Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. 22 1897
THE RECTORS OP PLUOKLEY, KENT, FOR
UPWARDS OP SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
BY THE REV. FRANCIS HASXEWOOD, F.S.A.
THE benefice of Pluckley, being one of the most valuable
pieces of preferment in the patronage of the Archbishops of
Canterbury, has been held by many noteworthy men who
have distinguished themselves at the Universities, and subsequently displayed considerable literary talents. It nevertheless seems strange that only one of the goodly list of
worthies was elevated to a bishopric, and another attained
a deanery, and in both instances these distinctions were
conferred on men of our own times.
1281. JOHN DE LYMYNG is the first Rector mentioned in Archbishop Peckham's Register, from which it appears His Grace
admitted him at Lambeth to the Church of Pluckley on January
26th, 1281. As the benefice was then vacant, there must have been
Rectors serving the parish prior to that date. Though Pluckley is
mentioned in Domesday, it seems from Purley's History (i., 226)
that there was no church there at that early period; Pevington,
however, within the parish, was provided in this respect.
The same Archiepiscopal Register records the citation of the
Rectors of Great and Little Chart, Pluckley, etc., in 1282 for
refusing to be present at celebration of orders ; and also that the
Archbishop ordained at South Mailing in September 1285 an
acolyte, one Nicholas de Plukele (Add. MS. Brit. Mus. 6062,
f. 51 V).
1313. JOHN BE LA WATKBE is the next name that has come
down. Archbishop Winchelsey collated him to Pluckley May 7,
1313. He is described as " acolitum de Maydestane " (Winchelsey,
556).
1363. "WiM/tAM BE ROTHYG. This Rector died prior to June
14. 1363, because a document so dated exhibits " a general release
from all actions given by the Prior and Chapter of Christ Church
86
THE EECTORS OF PLITCKLEY, KENT,
to the executors of W. de Rothyg, Eector of Pluckley, deceased, late
their farmer of the manor of Little Chart" (Canterbury Cathedral
Library, L, 55).
1390. WILLIAM PFBEMAN, who had been private chaplain to
Archbishop Courtenay, was collated at Croydon, September 4th,
1390 (Courtenay, 276 5).
1393. "WILLIAM CARNOIM (likewise the Archbishop's chaplain)
was appointed to this Eectory by the same prelate, August 27th,
1393 (Courtenay, 212 J).
1401. WILLIAM POTJNTFEAIT succeeded John Hurlegh as Eector
of Farnham, and Archbishop Arundel sanctioned an exchange of
benefices, December 16th, 1401 (Repertorium, E. Newcourt, ii.3
256; Arundel, 280 J).
1402. JOHN HTJELEGH exchanged Pluckley for the Eectory of
Great Chart, November 3rd, 1402 (Arundel, 276 b, 285 a).
1411. EIOHAED NBLHAM, exchanged (Arundel, ii., 63a).
1411. JOHN BEGUN upon the llth of December, 1411, effected
an exchange with his predecessor, and also on January 7th, 1422,
with Eobert Ifelsham, Vicar of Faversham, resigning the latter on
January 5th, 1425 (Arundel, ii., 137 «).
1422. EGBERT PFELSHAM exchanged the Eectory of Eeymerston, Norfolk, in 1422, for the Vicarage of Paversham. This
he exchanged for Pluckley, January 7th, 1422, holding it till 1450,
a period of twenty-eight years, when he resigned (Arundel, 134 «, I •
Hist, of Norfolk, P. Blomefield, x., 242 ; Stafford, 108 J).
1450. EICHAED SMTTH, was collated at Lambeth to the
Church of Pluckley by Archbishop Stafford, February 13th, 1450.
He exchanged with his successor (108 b).
1473. WILLIAM EOBEET, formerly chaplain of the Hospital of
St. Nicholas, Harbledowne, was admitted to the Church at Pluckley
by Archbishop Bourchier, June 19th, 1473, His Grace having sanctioned the exchange of benefices (107 J, 108 «).
1473. JOHN EICHE was upon the death of the last Eector collated by the Archbishop to Pluckley, which he resigned after holding it three years (109 a).
1476. HENEY EDYALL was appointed to Pluckley by the same
Archbishop, June 27th, 1476 (Bourchier, 114a). He resigned the
benefice at the end of eleven years.
1487. WILLIAM HUETT is mentioned as Eector of Pluckley,
and a note added, " all well," in a Book of Visitations, A.D. 1498,
now in the Cathedral Library at Canterbury (f. 44). He was
FOR UPWARDS OF SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
87
appointed to the parish of Pluckley on the 15th of October, 1487,
by Archbishop Morton (132 a).
1502. EICHAED G-AEDYSTEK, M.A., was collated to Pluckley by
Archbishop Deane, July 21st, 1502 (170 a). He held the benefice
only two years, Archbishop Wareham sanctioning an exchange for
a prebendal stall in Wells Cathedral.
1504. WILLIAM SMYTH, was collated by the Archbishop, Feb.
12th, 1504 (Wareham, 322 J), upon the resignation of Eichard
G-ardyner.
1514. JOHN ALEEE, B.D., was upon the death of the last
incumbent admitted to Pluckley by Archbishop Wareham, April 4th,
1514, and held the same twenty years, when he resigned. He was
previously Eector of Little Chart, and afterwards Parson of Hollingborne ; and mentions in his will, proved in 1537, " the church of
Little Chart, sometime his benefice " (Wareham, 353 b ; Hasted, iii.,
227).
1534. EOBEET COLYNS, B.D., was appointed "Eector of S.
Nicholas Church, Plucldey," by Archbishop Cranmer, October
23rd, 1534. He resigned the benefice at the end of five years
(Cranmer, 351 a). " Eobert Colens, Eector," is mentioned in the
Valor Ecclesiasticus (i., 96).
1539. HENBY MABKEHAM, M.A., was also collated by Archbishop Cranmer, December 17, 1539. He resigned 1541 (Cranmer,
373 a).
1541. WILLIAM LAUXJASTEB was collated July 15, 1541, by
Archbishop Cranmer (385 a), and held the benefice until his deprivation in 1554. His name occurs in the First Fruits Composition
Books, at the Record Office (Kane., 34 Hen. VIII., 1542); also as
" Rector dns." of Pluckley" A.D. 1550-55, in the Archdeacon's
Visitations at Canterbury (f. 59).
When Edward Bering, B.D., was collated in 1567 by Archbishop Parker, this entry occurs in the Eegister, "per mortem
Lanlcester clerici ultimi Rectoris ibidem vacant" (Parker, 3846).
By this it appears that the three next Hectors were regarded as
intruders.
1554. EADULPHTTS WEIGHT was instituted in the room of
W. Lancaster, May 10, 1554, by Archbishop Cranmer. This collation is entered in the Eegister at Canterbury Cathedral Library
(N, 68).
1556. WILLIAM BABKER, was collated May 1, 1556, by Archbishop Pole, vacant upon the resignation of E. Wright (Pole,
67, 668 a, V).
88
THE RECTORS OF PLTJCKLEY, KENT,
1558. NICHOLAS MOBTON, B.D., was collated by the same
Archbishop, September 22nd, 1558 (Pole, 81 b).
1567. EDWABD DEEING, B.D., was the remarkable divine
whose life is fully given in several biographical dictionaries. He
belonged to the Surrenden-Dering family, being the third son of
John Dering and Margaret his wife (nee Brent).
Educated at Christ College, Cambridge, he graduated B.A. in
1559, and became M.A. four years later. After this he attained
many distinctions, being elected Proctor of the University in 1566,
and Lady Margaret Preacher the following year. He proceeded
B.D. in 1568, and was appointed chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk,
and in 1571 became prebend of Chardstock, in Salisbury, which
latter he held four years.
It was as a preacher of the Puritan school, and author of several
sermons, also a commentary upon the Epistle to the Hebrews, that
he was chiefly celebrated. He was also a powerful disputant with
Dr. Harding, an eminent Boman Catholic divine. Archbishop
Parker, who describes Dering as " the greatest learned man in
England," coUated him to Pluckley, February 17th, 1567 (3846.
Inductions at Canterbury, b). He held the living only two years.
Mr. De-ring's intrepid spirit was exhibited when preaching before
Queen Elizabeth, February 25th, 1569. He ventured to address
Her Majesty in these terms : " Now you are a Princess of Majestie
flee farre away from all unthankfulnesse." "Now as the Sterne
and Helme is in your owne hand, guide your shippe so, that the
waves do not over run it. Be not cruel unto God's annointed, and
do his Prophets no harme." "If you have said sometime of your
selfe: Tanquain ovis (Ps. xliv. 20) as a Sheepe appointed to be slayne,
take heede you heare not nowe of the Prophet: Tanquam, indomita
iuvenca, as an untamed and unrulie Heifer" (Jer. xxxi. 18).
For his zeal in the cause of Protestantism, and for preaching
against Episcopacy, he was convened before the Star Chamber, and
suspended in 1573.
Dering's published works passed through several editions.
Besides the sermon preached before the Queen in 1569, he delivered
another at the Tower of London the same year. Added to the
above are: Godly and Verie comfortable Letters, 1576; Private
Prayers; Lectures on the JUpistle to the Hebrews, which were
reprinted at least five times, these dates appearing on the title• pages of his works, 1569, 1576, 1583, 1590, 1614. Besides the
above, appeared the controversial work entitled, A Sparing Restraint
FOB UPWARDS OF SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
89
of many lavish untruths, which Doctor Harding doth chalenye, etc.,
1568.
Mr. Bering's books found numerous purchasers after his decease,
which took place at the Priory of Thoby, in Mountnessing, Essex,
June 26, 1576, aged 36 years. There is no monument to his
memory, and the Parish Registers are lost. Mr. Dering was married, but died childless. His widow Ann married Eichard Prowse,
December 7th, 1579, at St. Thomas the Apostle, London, and was
residing at Exeter in 15S3.
(A portrait appears in the Heroologia, Granger's Bioy. Rist.,
i., 215; Athena Cant., i., 354; Fasti Mcclesia Sarisberiensis, ii,,
371; Hist, of Univ. of Gamb., ii., 67 ; Pedigree of Dering., Arch.
Cant., X., 327.)
1.569. JOH PICARDE, M.A., whose name is spelt in at least six
different ways, was collated to Pluckley by Archbishop Parker,
March 15, 1569 (398 b), and inducted into same February 13th the
following year. Complaint is made in the Archdeacon's Visitations
that " or minister dothe not use the surples " (Canterbury Cathedral Library, f. 17).
He inducted Eichard Gresbrooke into the Vicarage of Bethersden in 1598. John Picarde died in 1616, having held Pluckley
forty-seven years. He and his wife, who predeceased him only a
few days, were both buried at Pluckley (Parker, 398 b ; Inductions,
f. 10; First Fruits Composition Books, .Kane.).
" 1616. Margery Pickard the wyfe of John Pickard was buried
the 23 of June.
" John Pickard the Parson was buried the 4th day of July."
(Parish Eegister.)
1616. JOHN COPLEY, M.A., fourth son of Sir Thomas Copley,
Knight, was collated to Pluckley by Archbishop Abbot, July 11,
1616 (419 a), when he resigned the Vicarage of Bethersden, which
he had held since 1612. At Archbishop Laud's Primary Visitation in 1637 Mr. Joh'es Copley exhibited his preacher's licence, and
letters of institution and induction.
Walker in his Sufferings of the Clergy (ii., 220) mentions that
" John Copely was sequestered by the House about September
1643, at which Time they order'd Sam. Immat to succeed him."
He, however, recovered possession of his Eectory at Pluckley at
the Eestoration of Charles II. John Copley married Martha
Moone; died at Ashford, and was buried in the chancel there, a
monument recording, " Heere lyeth the Body of Mastar John Coply,
90
THE RECTORS OF PLUCKLEY, KENT,
late minister of Pluckley;" the date of his death being June 2nd,
1662.
His widow, who died in 1663, made bequests for a sermon at
Ashford, etc. (Arch. Cant., XVI., 87; Proceedings in Kent, by
L. B. Larking, 47).
It appears that Sir Edward Bering and Copley, " parson of
Pluckley with Pevington," were at variance concerning the tithes
of the latter. The Baronet complains to Archbishop Laud in a
letter, dated February 16th, 1636, that" he never did nor shall find
Mr. Copley a friend, nor can he unless the leopard change his
spots." He further prays the Arclibishop to admit Mr. Craige
upon the King's presentation to Pevington, " whose life and abilities
deserve a good parsonage better than Mr. Copley's do a sheaf."
(Abbot, f. 419 a; Inductions, 123; First Fruits ; Lib. Licentiatum at Cant., M, 1635—1637, 145 b; Arch. Cant., III., 194;
XVI., 87; State Papers, Charles I., 1631—1633, p. 361.)
1643. SAMUEL JEMMETT, who was put in by the Parliament,
held this church in 1643 and 1652. At the latter date he succeeded
Edward Simpson as Rector of Eastling. Jemmett's name is mentioned in Bytner's Foedera (xix., 141) as having Letters Patent to
hold the Vicarage of All Saints, Sudbury, the presentation thereto
having lapsed to the King.
In 1676, August 14th, being at that time a widower, S. Jemmett
applied for a licence, and signed the application to marry Elizabeth
Sillyard, a widow, of Bettishanger, either at "Wye, Boughton
Aluph, or Eastwell. Jemmett died the following year.
(Hasted, iii., 234; Pat. v., Car. I., 1ST. 59, 1629; Mar. Lie. at
Cant., 127.)
1628. EDWAKD SCMPSOST, S.T.D., a native of Tottenham, Middlesex, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, became chaplain to Sir M. Finch, and was by the Viscountess Maidstone, his
daughter, preferred to the Eectory of Eastling, January 2nd, 1617,
when he was succeeded by S. Jemmett. He was prebendary of
Coringham, in Lincoln Cathedral, August 13th, 1628. He resigned
Pluckley in 1649. He was the author of Notes on Horace, Persius,
etc., also Qhronicon CatJwlicum ab JSxordio Mkindi, fol., pub. 1652.
This work, which Dr. Reynolds, Bishop of Norwich, highly commends, contains his portrait.
(Survey of Cathedrals, by B. "Willis, ii., 171; Siog. Sist., by
J. Granger, ii., 180.)
1649. EZBAEL TCOTGE, S.T.P., was born at Tickhill, Yorkshire,
FOE UPWARDS OF SIX HUNDRED TEAES.
91
November 11, 1621. His father Henry sent him to University
College, Oxford, in. 1639, where he proceeded B.A. in 1642, and
M.A. in 1648, when he was elected a Fellow.
He married Jane daughter of Dr. Simpson, who resigned his
benefice in favour of his son-in-law. Tonge took the degree of D.D.
in 1656. It is said that being *' much vexed with factious Parishioners and Quakers " he vacated PlucHey. He afterwards settled
at Islington, and Lentwarden, and subsequently at St. .Mary's
Stayning, with St. Michael's, "Wood Street, retaining the two last
till his death. He was the first to inform the King of Oates's plot
in 1678, having been told thereof by Titus.
Bzrael Tonge died December 18, 1680, and was buried at St.
Mary's Stayning. Letters of administration were granted to his
brother John Tonge, January 1681 (f. 14).
Dr. Tonge studied chronology and alchymy, and wrote A Short
Compendium of Grammar; The Royal Martyr; The Jesuits Ifnmaslced; Observations on Sap in Trees, etc.
(Repertorium, by E. Newcourt, i., 458; Athence Oxon., by
A. A. Wood, ii., 671.)
1657. THOMAS DAFFY, was admitted June 17, 1657, upon a
nomination from His Highness the Lord Protector under his seal
manual, and certificates from thirteen gentlemen whose names appear
in the Book of Admissions to Benefices, now at Lambeth. The same
document mentions that Pluckley had been sequestered from Mr.
Copley. The appointment of Daffy was ignored by the Archbishop,
because when John Bargrave was inducted into the Rectory of
Pluckley in 1662, it is stated that the benefice was vacant by the
death of John Copley, the last incumbent.
(Augmentation of Livings, Lib. 998, 55; Sufferings of Olerc/y}
by Jo. "Walker, ii., 330.)
1662. JOHN BAEGRAVE, S.T.D., who had received his education at Peter House, Cambridge, was collated by Archbishop
Juxon, July 3, 1662 (f. 134 a); and in September of the same year
admitted a Canon in Canterbury Cathedral. From 1660—1670 he
was Hector of .Harbledown. Dr. Bargrave married Mrs. Frances
Osborne, a widow, March 26, 1665, at Canterbury Cathedral He
resigned Pluckley in 1676, and died May llth, buried 13th, 1680,
at the age of 70 years. A marble stone marks the place of his
burial in Canterbury Cathedral:
NOBTH CEOSS OB MABTY.EDOM, N."W. TBAKSBPT.
Hie asservantur exuvise
92
THE RECTOES OF PLtlCKLEY, KENT,
BABGRATJE, S.T.D., hujus
Ecclesise Canonicij
Qui Obiit xi die Marj. MDCLXXX,
iSeptuagesimo ^Etatis suss Anno.
By his will lie desires to be buried in the earth, and the chain
which he took from one of the English slave's legs that he redeemed,
he orders to be hung aloft over his grave. Mentions his nephews
Isaac and Robert Bargrave. May 28, 1680. (Consist, at Canterbury
Registry, LIT., 481.)
Frances Bargrave, his widow, was buried August 26, 1686. Her
will was proved August 30, 1686 (lv., 227). Describes herself as
widow of John Bargrave, the late prebendary. Desires to be buried
in the Cathedral, near her father Sir John Wild. Mentions her
sisters Dame Anne Willis and Elizabeth Wilde, and pictures of herself and her two husbands.
(Wood's Ath., ii., 152 ; Walker, ii., 152 ; fed., Berry's Kent, 2 ;
Arch. Cant., IV., 252.)
1676. NATHANIEL OOLLIN&TON, M.A., was Incumbent of G-odmersham in 1663, this he resigned for Kenardington. Was afterwards collated, November 7th, 1662, to Tenterden, then " a parish
much corrupted." He is spoken of as " a very good man " (Gat,
of Benefiees Lamb. Lib., MS. 1126, 38). Was collated to Pluckley
by Archbishop Sheldon, February 24, 1676 (373 a; Inductions,
f. 36) . Whilst Vicar of Tenterden, being then a widower, he married
December 22, 1663, Catherine Becknam, a widow, of Berstead.
A flat monument at one time existed in the chancel : " To the
memory of Nathaniel Collington, who was Eector of this parish 03
years, and died 1735, aged 93." There is apparently a mistake on
the monument, as Mr. Collington held the Rectory 59 years. He
was buried in woollen. This entry is found in the Parish Register :
"1735. The Revd Mr Nathaniel Collington, Rector of Pluckly,
dy'd December 14th, and was buried the 18Ul of the same month.
JEtat. 93 " (" Parsons' Monuments," Gent. Mag., v., 737 ; Hist.
Reg., xxi., 9).
1735. JOHN HEAD., D.D., youngest son of Sir Francis Head,
Bart., of Canterbury, matriculated at Christ Church College,
Oxford, in 1719, at the age of seventeen. Was ordained deacon
in 1727, and priest in 1728, and in the following year appointed to
St. George Martyr, and St. Mary Magdalene, Canterbury, and 1729
to Woodnesborough. With these he held Pluckley, to which he
was collated December 29, 1735 (Wake, 276 I) . Was presented
to a prebendary at Hereford and to a canonry at Canterbury iu
FOR UPWARDS OF SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
93
1759. The following year he was appointed to Ickham,. when he
resigned Pluckley, also his benefices at Canterbury. He held the
Rectory of Ickham from 1760 to 1769. On the death of his brother
Sir Francis Head he succeeded to the title of Baronet. He was
also installed Archdeacon of Cantei'bury in 1748.
He married, first, Jane, daughter of Eev. Peter Leigh; and,
secondly, in 1751, Jane, sister of Win. G-eekie, D.D., prebend of
Canterbury. He died s.p. December 4, 1769, and was buried at
Ickham (Hasted, xii., 74-, 594)- His burial is thus recorded:
" Dec. 11. The Eevd Sir John Head, Baronet, D.D., Archdeacon
and Prebendary of Canterbury and Hector of this Parish, aged 68."
In his will dated 1766, and proved December 12,1769, by his widow,
he describes himself as " Archdeacon of Canterbury, and desires to
be buried in the family vault at Ickham " (Bogg, 417 : P.G.G.).
(Act Books, viii., 45 ; ix., 365, 390; Lamb. Lib.; Oanf. Oath,, by
J. Duncombe, 137; Gent. Mag., v., 73S; Le Neve Fasti, \., 52;
Arch. Cant., XIV., 132.)
1760. JOHN FKOST, M.A., son of John Frost of G-ranby, co.
Notts, was nephew to Archbishop Seeker, and his chaplain. At
the age of twenty-one he matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford,
in 1740, taking his B.A. in 1743, and M.A. in 1746. Already
possessed of Bishopsbourne with. Barham, Frost applied for a dispensation to hold Pluckley, to which he was collated by his uncle
June 23, 1760 (Inductions, 216). Mr. Frost held this benefice till
his death, April 28, 1765. The Parish Eegister at Bishopsbourne
contains this entry:—" The Eev. John Frost, A.M., Hector of this
parish, was buried May 1, 1765."
(Acts, ix., 391; Lamb. Lib.; Gent, Mag., xxx., 347, xxxv., 247.)
1765. "WILMAM Jomss, M.A., F.E.S., was the son of Morgan
Jones, a "Welsh gentleman, and became eminent as a man of letters.
At the age of eighteen he matriculated at University College,
Oxford, where he graduated B.A, in 1749, and afterwards took the
degree of M.A. at Sydney College, Cambridge. Was ordained priest
in 1751 by the Bishop of Lincoln, when he accepted the Curacy of
Finedon, and a few years later that of Wadenhoe, where he married
Mary daughter of Eer. Nathaniel Bridges. Archbishop Seeker
collated Jones to the Vicarage of Bethersden, and two years afterwards preferred him in 1765 to Pluckley. After holding it thirteen
years he resigned to take the Eectory of Fasten, Northamptonshire.
He is best known as Jones of Nayland, Suffolk, where he died
January 6, 1800, aged 75 years. Davy in his MS. gives a pedigree
of his family.
94
THE RECTORS OP PLUCKLEY, KENT,
STOKE BY NAYLAND. IN CHANCEL, N. "WALL.
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life,
Beneath are deposited
The Remains of the Kevd WILLIAM JONES, M.A.,
late Eector of Paston in Northamptonshire,
and Perpetual Curate of this Parish,
who resteth from a Life of unwearied labour
in the service of God, and the church,
on the sixth day of January 1800, aged 75 years.
His good deeds will be had in remembrance and his various writings
will be read and admired as long as Wisdom, Honour, and Truths
are held in esteem amongst Mankind.
Here also rest the remains of ELIZABETH his wife,
who died Jan1* 25th, 1799, aged 75 years, etc.
Arms below. (Arch. Cant., XVI., 93.)
The whole of his writings were published in 12 vols. in 1801.
Bishop Horsley in his Charges said, " He had, beyond any other
man I ever knew, the talent of writing upon the deepest subjects to
the plainest understandings."
Among his most celebrated works were : The Catholic Doctrine
of the Trinity; Dissertations upon Life and Death; Sermons on
Moral and Religious Subjects; Memoirs of the Life of Bishop
Home.
(Imp. Die. of Univ. Biog., iii.; Davy MS., Brit. Mus.; Add.
MS. 19,137; Anti-Jacobin Review, vii., 439, 459—462; Nolle's
House of Cromwell, i., 402; St. James's Ohron., January 8, 1842.)
1777. WILLIAM DISNEY, D.D.; B.A. 1753; M.A. 1756; ordained deacon in 1754, and priest in 1758, by Matthias Manson,
Bishop of Ely; was collated by Archbishop Cornwallis, July 24,
1777, to Pluckley, void by the cession of William Jones. "Was
Regius Professor of Hebrew at Cambridge 1757—1771.
(Acts, xi., 163; Lamb. Lib.)
1807. CHABLES BABTON, D.D., ordained deacon in 1789 by
the Bishop of Gloucester, and priest the following year by the
Bishop of Oxford. Was collated to Pluckley June 8, 1807. He
had previously held the Eectory of Halstead, Kent, having been
appointed thereto in 1806. Barton resigned Pluckley in 1816.
(Acts, xiii., 259, 296; Lamb. Lib. ; Indiictions, f. 28; Lib. 2nst.
Record Office, iii., 75.)
1816. CHOLMELEY EDWABD JOHN" DEBING, M.A., only child
FOR UPWARDS OP SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
95
of Cholmeley Bering of Brighton, and grandson of Sir Edward
Bering, the sixth Baronet, was born March 18, 1790. He was
educated at Eton, and afterwards at Christ Church, Oxford, where
he graduated B.A. in 1812, and M.A. in 1815. Was ordained
deacon in 1813 by Bishop of Salisbury, and priest the following
year. He acted as curate at Pluckley, and was collated to the
Eeetory September 4th, 1816. The following year he married
Maria Price.
In 1819 a Paculty was granted to remove the old Rectory, which
was then near a public-house, and erect the present one.
Mr. Bering was a county magistrate, also a prebendary of St.
Paul's, and chaplain to King William IV. and Queen Victoria.
After holding Pluckley for thirty-two years, he died at the Eectory
August 12th, 1848, in the fifty-eighth year of his age, leaving a
widow, two sons Cholmeley Edward and Edward Heneage, also a
daughter Maria, who married July 27th, 1848, Eev. John Branfill
Harrison, late Eector of Great Mongeham. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Bering are buried at Pluckley, where there is a tablet to their
memory.
Mr. Bering was author of several works: Sermons; Poems,
entitled, Bygone Hours; Sketches of Human Life; and Sacred
Melodies; all published in 1842.
(Pedigree ofDering, Areh. Cant., X., 327 ; Berry, 400.)
The Parish Eegister thus records his burial: " 1848. Cholmeley
Edward John Bering, Pluckley, buried August 19, 58 years, by
Julius Beedes, Vicar of Marden."
1848. ASHTON OxEtfDEir, Eight Eeverend Bishop, B.B., like
his predecessor, was descended from a very old Kentish family.
From the History of my Life (published 1891), one of Bishop
Oxenden's numerous works, it appears he was born September 28,
1808, at Broome Park, Kent, where he spent the first thirty years
of his life. His father Sir Henry Oxenden had twelve children.
In 1821 or 1822 Ashton went to Harrow, and in 1827 at the age of
nineteen was entered at University College, Oxford. B.A. 1831;
M.A. 1859 ; B.B. 1869. He was ordained 1833 to the Curacy of
Barham, where he undertook the sole charge till 1840. Health
however failed, and he remained silent for seven years, In 1848
Archbishop Sumner presented him to Pluckley, the squire of which
was the late Sir Edward Bering, a Harrow schoolfellow.
Mr. Oxenden married at Bournemouth, June 14th, 1864, Sarah
daughter of Joseph Hoare Bradshaw, by whom he had a daughter,
96
THE RECTORS OP PLUCKLEY, KENT,
Mary Ashton, who married at St. Peter's Church, Baton Square,
July 28, 1891, Charles John youngest son of the late General
Wood, M.P., of Littleton (Hist, of Wilmer Family, by C. W.
Poster, 279).
After spending twenty-one years at PlucHey (where he restored
the Church in 1852), Mr. Oxenden was consecrated August 1, 1869,
Bishop of Montreal, and Metropolitan of Canada. Having faithfully fulfilled his Episcopal duties for nearly ten years, he returned
to England, and was in 1879 presented to the Vicarage of St.
Stephen's, Canterbury, which he held till 1885. Health again
failing him, Bishop Oxenden retired to Biarritz, where he died
February 22nd, 1892, aged 84 years.
Bishop Oxenden was one of the most popular writers of the
century, many of his works having commanded a circulation of
many thousand copies.
Among some of his best known hooks are: The Pathway of
Safety; JSar-nest Communicant; Home Beyond; Pastoral Office;
J?amily Prayers; Parables of Our Lord, ; Portraits from the Bible ;
Barliam and Pluckley Tracts; besides others on Baptism, Confirmation, Lord's Supper, etc.
(Pedigree of Oxenden, Arch. Cant., VI,, 277; Berry's Kent
Peds., 224 ; Plain Sermons and Memoir, by Wentworth Webster, 1893.)
„ A window was placed in Pluckley Church by Professor Plumptre
to commemorate Bishop Oxenden's twenty-one years' ministry.
In the chancel also, upon the north wall, is a brass bearing this
inscription :
• To the Glory of God
and in loving memory of
The Eight Eeverend ASHTON OXENDEN, D.D.,
the 6th son of Sir HENBY OXENDEN, Bart.
He was horn at Broome, in the Parish of Barbara, Kent,
September 28, 1808, and he entered into rest at
Biarritz, February 22, 1892.
He was Curate of Barham from 1833 to 1840, and afterwards
for 21 years Rector of PlucHey. On August 1, 1869, He was
consecrated Bishop and Metropolitan of Canada, which important
charge he resigned through failing health in 1878. Beloved and
honoured by all who knew him for his consistent character and
saintly life.
" He being dead yet speaketh."
FOB, UPWARDS OP SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
97
. There are three public memorials at Biarritz.
(1) A handsome cross over his grave in the New Cemetery :
Sacred
To the Memory of
ASHTOJST OXENDEN",
D.D.,
Late Bishop of Montreal
and Metropolitan
of Canada,
Son of Sir HEITRY OXESTDEN', Bart.,
of Broome Park,
in the County of Kent.
Born 28 Sept1' 1808.
Died 22 Febv 1892.
(2) Brass plate in chancel, St. Andrew's Church :
In affectionate remembrance of
ASHTOW OXENDEN, D.D., who died Feb>' 22nd 1892,
late Bishop of Montreal
Metropolitan of Canada,
and in grateful recognition of his services in this Church
during the last seven years of his life.
(3) Brass plate on new organ, St. Andrew's Church :
This Organ was erected as a
public memorial of respect and affection
to the late Bishop ASHTOST OXEWDEN, D.D., 1892.
1869. EDWARD HAYES PLUMPTEE, D.D., Very Eeverend Dean
of "Wells, was descended from the ancient family of Plumptre of
Nottingham. He was second son of Edward Hallows Plumptre of
the Inner Temple, and was born August 6, 1821.
By his scholarly attainments he rapidly rose to occupy places of
distinction, becoming B.A. and Fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford, 1844-7, and receiving his M.A. in the latter year; Assistant
Preacher Lincoln's Inn 1851-8; Professor of Pastoral Theology,
King's College, London, 1853-63, and of New Testament Exegesis
1863-81; Dean of Queen's College, London, 1855-75; Prebendary
of St. Paul's 1863-81; Boyle Lecturer 1866-7, and Grinfield Lecturer on Septuagint at Oxford 1872-4 ; selected a member of the
Old Testament Company for Revision of the Authorized Version
TOL. XXII.
H
98
THE RECTORS OP PLTTCKLEY, KENT,
of Holy Scripture 1869-74. In 1869 Archbishop Tait collated Mr.
Plumptre to Pluckley, which he exchanged in 1873 for the Vicarage of Bickley, Kent, an appointment he held till installed Dean of
Wells in 1881. Mr. Plumptre married July 5, 184-8, at Herstmonc'eux, Sussex (Gent, Mag., 315), Harriet Theodosia youngest
daughter of Eev. Michael Maurice (Unitarian Minister) of Netting
Hill, and youngest sister of Rev. Frederick Denison Maurice.
Dr. Plumptre died at the Deanery, Wells, February 1, 1891,
aged 69, and was buried February 6 in the churchyard, south of the
choir of the Cathedral. A. tombstone of Aberdeen granite with a
cross laid upon it, and this inscription, marks the place of his grave:
EDWARD HATES PI/PMPTBE,
Dean of Wells.
Born August 6, 1821. Died February 1,1891.
A brass tablet, put up by his colleagues the Canons, in the
north aisle of the choir underneath the window in memory of
Bishop Ken, which the late Dean, was chiefly instrumental in
erecting, bears the following :
In Memoriam
EDWARDI HATES PLTIMPTBE
Decani Wellensis;
Qui hanc fenestram in honorem
Insignis Episcopi THOJOS KEN,
decorandam curavit,
obdormivit in Christo
Kal. Februarii MDCCCXCI
Hanc tabulam posuere
Mcerentes Colleges.
A good obituary of him appears in Notes and Queries, 1891
(120); see also Kelly, Handbook to Official Classes; Celebrities of
the Century, by Lloyd C. Sanders, 1887.
He was author of Sermons at King's College, London, 1859;
Theology and Life; Lazarus and other Poems; Translations of
Sophocles and Euripides; Life of Bishop Ken; Editor of Bible
Eduea-tor, 1877-9, etc.
1873. EDWAED JOHN SBLWTN, M.A., like several of his predecessors, was a gentleman of considerable literary attainments,
and is described as " a man of very great learning and culture, and
FOR UPWARDS OP SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
99
a most. accurate scholar." He descended from a Gloucestershire
family. His father was Eev. Edward Selwyn, formerly an officer
E.A., and afterwards of St. Katherine's College, Cambridge, and
Vicar of Euddington, Notts, and subsequently of Hemingford
Abbots, Hunts; his mother was Panny daughter of Eev. John Simons,
Eector of Paul's Cray, Kent. Their son Edward John was born at
Cambridge March 17th, 1822, and brought up at Oakham Grammar
School, and at Eepton, whence he went up with an exhibition in
1842 to Trinity College, Cambridge. He obtained a College Scholarship and the Bell University Scholarship in 1843 ; graduated
B.A. in 1846, and M.A. 1849, being ordained deacon in 1847, and
priest the next year.
Mr. Selwyn became Head Master of the Blackheath Proprietary
School, 1847-64; Evening Lecturer of St. Margaret, Lee, Kent,
1859-64; was the first Eector of St. Paul, "Wokingham, Berks,
1864-67; Vicar of St. George's, Bickley, Kent, 1867—1873, when
he came to Pluckley, a mandate for his induction to the same being
dated April 7, 1873. He was Eector twenty years, and for five was
Eural Dean. He erected principally at his own expense St. Mary's
Church, close to the railway station.
He was twice married; first to Henrietta De la Cour third
daughter of Eev. Peter Maingay of St. James, Guernsey; she died
September 13,1851, aged 29, and was buried in the cemetery there;
M.I.; secondly, at Clapham, December 22, 1853, to Maria Sophia
second daughter of ~W. Hughes-Hughes, Esq., formerly M.P. for
Oxford, a Barrister, and an Alderman of City of London.
Mr. Selwyn died August 15, 1893, aged 71, leaving a widow
and three children. His son Eev. E. Carus Selwyn is Head Master
of Uppingham School. He was buried on August 16th in Pluckley
Churchyard, and by his request laid with his face towards his people,
wearing his cassock, surplice, and stole.
(Guardian, August 23, 30, 1893 ; Canterbury Dioc. G-az.)
AT BASE OF STOITE Cuoss IN PLUCKLTSY CHTJBCHYABD.
In Loving Memory of
EDWABD Jons' SEI/WYW, M.A.
Eector of this Parish for 20 years.
He entered into Eest
August 15, 1893. Aged 71 years.
The following sketch Pedigree by Eev. "W. Bazeley of Matson,
H 2
100
THE RECTORS OF PLUCKLEY, KENT,
co. Gloucester, shews the relationship between Rev. E. J. Selwyn
and the Bishop's family :
"William Selwyn of Leonard Stanley=T=Eliz»beth.
r
Richard Selwyn of Leonard Stanley=i=Elizabeth Harmer.
William Selwyn of King's Stanley^Catherine Clutterbuok.
Jasper Selwyn, Bar.-at-Law, of Matson, d. 1636, set. TO^Margaret Bobbins.
William Selwyn, ob. 1643=r=Edith Bennett, d. 1632.
William Selwyn, d. 1679=j=Margaret Nourse.
William Selwyn, Gen. Gov. of Jamaica, d. IfOa^Albinia Betenson, d. 1738, set. 80.
Henry Selwyn, 2nd son, d. 1734rr=Rutb. Compton, d. 1761.
Charles Jasper^Elizabeth Coxeter. William, Bar.-at-Law=pFrances Dod.
Henry Charles, Capt., d. 1807=f Sarah Thompson.
William=f=Letitia Kynaston.
Fanny, da.=i=Ed\vard, M.A.,=lranny, da.of Thos. MarBector of Hem- getts of Hemiugford
of Rev.
ingford Abbots, Grey ; m. at GrandJohn
Simons.
d. 1867.
borough, Warw., Jan. 3,
1850. ('Gent. Mag./
p. 430.)
Henrietta=Edward John,=r=Maria
Sophia
DelaCour Rector of
HughesMaingay. Pluckley, b.
1822; d. 1893. Hughes.
Maria Elizlh., m.
7 Oct. 1851 Rev.
William Carus,
Vic. of Romsey.
Rev. Edward Carus=Lucy, da. of ThoSelwyn, Head Master mas Arnold and
of Uppingham
grandda. of Dr.
School.
Arnold; d. 1894.
George Au-=r=Sarah
gustus, Bp. Harriet
of Lichfteld. Richardson.
2nd son.
JohnRicliard-=Clara.
son, Bp. of
Melanesia,2nd
son.
1. Henrietta, m. Rev.
William Bazeley,Reotor (if Matson, co.
Glouo.
2. Emily
Maria, m.
Capt. J. S.
Griffith.
1893. FREDEBIC NEWTON STYLE, M.A., the present Bector,
was late Scholar of Lincoln College, Oxford, taking the degree of
B.A. in 1869, and M.A, in 1873, Being ordained in 1870 to the
FOR UPWARDS OF SIX HUNDRED YEARS.
101
Curacy of Addington lie remained there till 1872, in which year he
received priest's orders, and removed to Dartford, where he continued till 1875, when he became curate of St. Peter's, Thanet, till
preferred in 1880 to the Vicarage of Crockenhill, Kent. Archbishop Benson appointed Mr. Style to PlucHey upon the death of
Mr. Selwyn. Mr. Style is the son of the Rev. Frederick Style,
M.A., St. John's, Oxford. He married a Miss Kean at St. Peter's,
Thanet, August 26, 1880. They have no family.
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